Author Archives: George

Dreamcast homebrew game Wind and Water: Puzzle Battles getting reprinted

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The 2007 indie Dreamcast game Wind and Water: Puzzle Battles will be receiving a re-release this year, it has been confirmed.  Wind and Water: Puzzle Battles had been sold out for years and now developer Yuan Works Co., Ltd has teamed up with DragonBox Shop to re-release their famed puzzle game.

The studio announced that it was working on a new title called ‘Little Ninja‘, after Wind and Water: Puzzle Battles but it seems they are gauging interest for homebrew games, since Wind and Water: Puzzle Battles came out almost a decade ago. Yuan Works Co., Ltd also set up a Patreon to get development for Little Ninja off the ground.

If you haven’t played it Wind and Water: Puzzle Battles it mixes Bejeweled type puzzle gameplay with a over world map and old school JRPG like story elements. The re-release will have bug fixes and is up for pre-order for only $9.36 (plus shipping). Not a bad price at all.

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First Look: Sonic the Hedgehog’s Lego Dimensions figure

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SonicLegoDeminsionsfeat

This morning Mark Warburton, a producer at TT Games Publishing posted the first look at the Sonic the Hedgehog figure in action. If you didn’t know Sonic the Hedgehog will be included in the latest update of LEGO Dimensions. Mark Warburton showed off Sonic the Hedgehog‘s Lego Dimensions figure in a mock race against Superman. You can check out more photos of Sonic the Hedgehog‘s Lego Dimensions figure at the bottom of the article.

We also did a SEGA News Bits episode where we discussed our thoughts on Sonic the Hedgehog joining LEGO Dimensions. What are your thoughts about Sonic the Hedgehog’s Lego Dimensions figure? Tell us in the comments below!

[Via: NeoGAF]

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Rumor: SEGA Blast Heroes a new mobile SRPG gets leaked

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SEGA-Blast-Heroes

According to the mobile game website PocketGamer there is a new mobile game by SEGA, which features classic game IPs. Not only that, mobile ads for SEGA Blast Heroes (the games name) have been popping up. The ads describe the title as a ‘strategy RPG’. The Facebook page behind the ads leads to a page called ‘SEGA Mobile’ which has a bit over 150 likes at he moment. If you click to download the app from the ad, it takes you to StoreMaven, which is a service to help test upcoming app store conversion rates.

Below are some screenshots of the supposed game called SEGA Blast Heroes. Of course, it looks like it would play like Chain Chronicle. Just looking at the screenshots leaked so far I see Samba De Amigo, Space Channel 5, Sakura Wars, Valkyria Chronicles, Jet Set Radio, Wonder Boy, Alex Kidd, and a lot of unknowns populating the screens. It also seems that you will be fighting generic looking villains, which is a bummer.

This game doesn’t surprise me considering SEGA’s mobile division put out a survey asking fans about classic SEGA franchises. What are your thoughts on the rumor? Would you play SEGA Blast Heroes?

[Via: Segalization]

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Hatsune Miku’s general producer Hiroshi Utsumi leaves SEGA

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Miku-Manager-PS4-FamitsuThe general producer behind the Sega feat. Hatsune Miku project has resigned from his position at SEGA. On the official Sega feat. Hatsune Miku blog post Hiroshi Utsumi said he will leave SEGA as of June 30th (today).

“I think everyone could guess a number of reasons [why I left], but it is not that I have to do something serious, or cannot take the responsibility, or am more or less tired. This is just my own selfishness in wanting to challenge new fields, and I give my utmost thanks to this company and my team members who have heard me out.” – Hiroshi Utsumi

While Hiroshi Utsumi is leaving, that doesn’t mean that SEGA is stopping the Hatsune Miku train. They have three Hatsune Miku games releasing this year with Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Future Tone (PlayStation 4), Hatsune Miku: Project Diva X (Vita, PlayStation 4) and Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Future Live (PlayStation VR launch title in Japan). Before leaving Utsumi promised that SEGA is working on ‘various projects’ to celebrate Hatsune Miku’s 10th anniversary in 2017.

While the company completely forgot that Outrun, Fantasy Zone and other arcade classics are celebrating anniversaries this year. Makes me a bit sad.

[via: Gematsu]

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Google makes Sonic the Hedgehog 25th Anniversary infographic

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SEGAgraphic
Google AdMob has created a Sonic the Hedgehog 25th Anniversary infographic showing neat little facts about Sonic the Hedgehog‘s long gaming history. While its a nice thing that is done by Google AdMob to celebrate Sonic the Hedgehog 25th Anniversary, its also to let people know that they provide mobile phone ads. I guess you have to promote your product, even if your blog post is about Sonic the Hedgehog 25th Anniversary.

SonicInfoGraphOne of the cool aspects is that we got listed on the infographic under sources used. Thanks for visiting the site, Google AdMob! You can see their inforgraphic here or hit the jump.

Continue Reading ➜

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Beyond Oasis/ Story of Thor sequel was planned for 32x

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beyondoasis32x1Back in the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive days, SEGA released a game called Beyond Oasis/The Story of Thor, according to the co-developer Ancient Games (also developed Streets of Rage series) there was a sequel planned on the SEGA 32X. They released the proposal document cover and character sketch proposals (seen below) that were shown to SEGA. It seems that the Beyond Oasis/ The Story of Thor sequel was canceled and moved to the SEGA Saturn.

What are your thoughts on the proposal sketches? Do you think a Beyond Oasis/ The Story of Thor sequel would have done well on the SEGA 32x or was moving to the SEGA Saturn a better idea?

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Yakuza 6 getting big reveal event in Japan on July 26

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Yakuza6-119If you are looking forward to Yakuza 6, you might want to mark July 26th on your calander since SEGA will be having a huge event hosted at UDX Theater in Akihabara, Tokyo. The event will be held for press but will have 66 Yakuza 6 fans attending (since they won a raffle).

These are some of the Yakuza 6 announcements expected at the event:

  • New Yakuza 6 footage focusing on exciting drama scenes
  • New Yakuza 6 cast of actors and actresses
  • New Yakuza 6 settings announced
  • Yakuza 6 announcement to be announced (wow, inception)

There will also be a autograph session to close out the event which will be from 1:00pm to 1:45pm JST. Yakuza 6 is expected to hit Japanese stores this fall while the West is set to get Yakuza 0 early 2017. Yes, it sucks being behind the Japanese releases.

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7th Dragon III Code: VFD Demo now on American eShop

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I have been playing 7th Dragon III Code: VFD recently, that we even did a first impressions video a week or so ago and now you can give the game a spin with a demo. The 7th Dragon III Code: VFD Demo was released on the American e-Shop on the Nintendo 3DS. I highly suggest you give the game a try, especially since 7th Dragon III Code: VFD demo saves transfer to the final game:

“Demo saves transfer over to the main game, and are not only encouraged, but rewarded! The demo provides players with a streamlined pre-made group with a character cap of level 10, and once you transfer the save data to the full game, you can refund all the skill points and customize the group any way you want.”

7th Dragon III Code: VFD demo is highly recommended for users that want a new SEGA JRPG. The game has a pretty nice soundtrack composed by SEGA veteran Yuzo Koshiro (Streets of Rage games) and co-produced by Rieko Kodama (Phantasy Star, Skies of Arcadia). Give the demo a go and tell us what you think of 7th Dragon III Code: VFD in the comments below

[Via: TinyCartridge]

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SEGA 3D Classics Collection rated for Australia

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sega3dclassicscollectionIt seems that SEGA 3D Classics Collection on the Nintendo 3DS will be getting a Australian release, if the newly filed rating by SEGA is anything to go by. SEGA hasn’t officially confirmed SEGA 3D Classics Collection Australian release, but seeing this rating pretty much guarantees an announcement. Let’s hope its physical and not just digital.

SEGA 3D Classics Collection was released in the Americas on April 26th which has been the only other release outside of Japan. Yes, SEGA of Europe hasn’t released it either. Come on SEGA, share the SEGA 3D Classics Collection love!

[Via: Gematsu]

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Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice gets first Japanese trailer

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If you have been sitting around wanting to see more direct capture footage of Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice (or as its called in Japan Sonic Toon), then Sega Japan’s got you covered. Above is their trailer for the game introducing each character that will be in the final product.

While the Sonic Boom brand name has been hit hard due to two stinkers, SEGA has delayed Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice almost a year to try and get it right. The game is also being developed by Sanzaru Games which have developed good games in the past, namely Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time. What are your guys thoughts on Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice so far?

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SEGA 3D Classics is 30% off on Amazon

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sega3dclassicscollectionDidn’t pick up SEGA 3D Classics when it came out a few months ago? Shame on you! But its OK, you can now make it up to us by picking up SEGA 3D Classics for only $21.97 on Amazon (does have Prime shipping). That is pretty damn cheap way of playing classics like Power Drift, Puyo Puyo 2, Fantasy Zone II, and many more on the go. I do know that first print copies came with awesome SEGA stickers, don’t know if that is still the case but most likely it does.

You can buy a copy here. 

If you already have SEGA 3D Classics, good, now you can get a copy for your Nintendo heathen friends. So what do you guys think of the game going on sale out of nowhere? Good price?

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The SEGA Five: SEGA Games That Would Thrive in Virtual Reality

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SEGAVRWhile not every single gamer is sold on Virtual Reality just yet, mostly due to the fact that it is rather expensive to even get a headset and compatible computer, the people that have experienced it all think its the future of gaming. While this is still open to debate, what I do know is that Virtual Reality has opened the door for older types of genres that SEGA pioneered in their long history to thrive. So today on The SEGA Five we will be discussing five genres that SEGA can revive with the help of Virtual Reality.

Before we get started I just want to say that these ideas are to make the games Virtual Reality compatible and not exclusive. I think this would mean that more gamers will be able to enjoy the games, VR headset or not.  The number of gamers with Virtual Reality headsets is too low to spend money on exclusives right now. So let’s get to it.

Continue Reading ➜

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Sonic the Hedgehog and Friends concept art revealed

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SonicConcept1During the Sonic the Hedgehog 25th Anniversary event over in Japan, Sonic Team presented early concepts for Sonic the Hedgehog and Friends. Some of the weirdest early prototypes included rabbit Sonic the Hedgehog, headband wearing Silver the Hedgehog and scarred up Shadow the Hedgehog. If you are a hedgehog, you started out with some weird designs.

Check out the concept art for Sonic the Hedgehog and Friends below. Tell us what you think of these early concept art prototypes and if they did right with the final designs. Of course, these are just more of the popular Sonic the Hedgehog and Friends designs as they didn’t show a lot of the more niche characters (Fang, please Sonic Team).

[Via NeoGAF]

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New Sonic the Hedgehog game confirmed for 2017

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SonicTeamSonicGame2017The Sonic the Hedgehog 25th Anniversary event took place over in Tokyo, Japan yesterday and Sonic Team time lord Takashi Iizuka was there. At the event Takashi Iizuka finally announced ‘officially’ that a ‘new Sonic the Hedgehog game’ will be coming out next year.

While people are freaking out over not having a Sonic Team developed Sonic the Hedgehog game this year, I do want to stress that everyone wait for July 22nd, when the game will be shown off at the Sonic the Hedgehog 25th Anniversary party in San Diego, California. We will be there covering the event live and there will be a lot of surprises that will please fans of the blue blur. I guarantee it. I have seen some crazy conclusions fans have come up, so just relax it will all be shown in less than a month!

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SNK shows off cancelled Garou: Mark of the Wolves 2 character roster

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Garou 2During an interview with 4Gamer, SNK’s Yasuyuki Oda (Game Director), Eisuke Ogura (System Designer), Hidetoshi Ishizawaka (Battle Designer), and Hayato Watanabe (Battle Designer) talked about their upcoming game King of Fighters XIV. Sure there is a lot of hype in the community for that game but what surprised me was that they showed the character roster for a cancelled sequel to Garou: Mark of the Wolves. Garou: Mark of the Wolves is a 1999 Arcade game that got ported to systems such as Neo Geo, PlayStation 2, Dreamcast and a lot more. It is also one of the most underrated fighting games on the SEGA Dreamcast library and that is saying a lot.

It seems that SNK’s Garou: Mark of the Wolves 2 would have used sprites, as seen above in the character art they recently released which is way different than the 3D look that King of Fighters XIV took. What are your thoughts on Garou: Mark of Wolves 2 being worked on rather recently? Let us know in the comments below. King of Fighters XIV is being published by Atlus in the United States.

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